@gutread * /
he knew something was wrong the moment the two guards approach him in the forum . it was nundinae , market day , and he had snuck out of the palace early in the morning . his fingers are tightly clutching a bouquet ; it’s an almost apology for the fight they had last night . blood had stained her teeth , a bruise started to welt on her cheek , and she had so pleased by it . she had almost begged for it , the pain , and he was happy to oblige in the moment , but as always , guilt flooded him in the morning . he had picked out roses , knowing that she had preferred them , and was about to try and find her a gown when the men came into his vision .
something in hierocles’ stomach tightened , close to fear , and he keeps his throat to keep it from closing up . ❛ iudices , ❜ hierocles starts , shoulders tensing . ❛ to what do i owe this pleasure ? ❜ the words barely finish leaving his mouth before hands are grabbing both of his arms . the flowers drop to the ground , and the people around them begin to murmur , take a few steps back ; he doesn’t put up a fight , and he lets himself get tugged through the forum , back towards the palace . was she going to have him executed ? had she finally grown sick of what they were ? killing him so she can marry one of the plebeians she whored herself out to ?
the throne room , once a place of comfort , makes the pit in his stomach grow tenfold . elagabalus sits there in all her glory , and she looks . . no , she’s still crying . all hierocles wants to do is rush over , take her in his arms , and speak words of love into her ears . he doesn’t get the chance to . the guards shove on his shoulders , and hierocles falls to his ground , his knees hitting the floor with an almost sickening noise , and it’s not graceful . at first , he doesn’t look at her , he doesn’t want her to see the fear in his face . but then one of the guards is roughly grabbing his chin , forcing his head up , and his gaze is right at her . the other guard who isn’t holding his face finally speaks , directed towards the empress .
❛ we brought him , per your request . ❜














